Goodbye WordPress: The Bold Move to Next.js and Beyond

Why We Dropped WordPress for Next.js

At Floms, we believe in using the best tools to build fast, secure, and efficient websites. Like many in the industry, we started our blogging journey with WordPress—it was familiar, flexible, and came with an ecosystem of plugins to customize nearly anything. However, as our content needs grew, we realized WordPress no longer aligned with our vision for a modern, performance-driven approach.

We made a strategic decision to rebuild our sites using Next.js, and the results have been transformative. Here's why we moved away from WordPress and how our new setup has improved the way we publish content.

The Challenges We Faced with WordPress

1. Security Concerns

WordPress powers over 44% of the web, which makes it a prime target for cyberattacks. Our team was constantly monitoring failed login attempts and addressing plugin vulnerabilities.

Maintaining security meant regular updates to plugins, themes, and core files, which often introduced compatibility issues. We wanted a setup where security wasn't an ongoing worry.

2. Performance Bottlenecks

Despite using optimization plugins, our WordPress sites were still slower than we wanted. The reliance on multiple plugins and dynamic server-side requests added unnecessary overhead, which directly impacted page load times and SEO rankings.

3. Maintenance Overload

Managing plugin updates and resolving conflicts became an operational burden. We found ourselves spending more time on site maintenance than on creating valuable content. We needed a solution that let us focus on what we do best—building and publishing.

Why We Chose Next.js

1. Stronger Security

Next.js allows us to generate static sites at build time, meaning there's no backend to attack—no login forms, no database, and no plugins vulnerable to exploits. Our content is served as static files via a CDN, making it far more resilient to hacking attempts.

2. Superior Performance

By switching to static site generation (SSG) with Next.js, we were able to:

• Improve page load times by over 40%.
• Achieve near-instant Time to First Byte (TTFB).
• Remove the need for caching plugins and performance optimization plugins.

The result is a fast, smooth experience for our readers that helps us maintain strong SEO scores and user engagement.

3. Flexible Content Creation with MDX

MDX (Markdown + JSX) allows us to seamlessly blend text and interactive components. Instead of relying on bulky page builders, we can embed dynamic React components directly within our articles when needed.

Our publishing process is simple:

1. Write or update an article in MDX.
2. Push the changes to our GitHub repository.
3. Let GitHub Actions handle the build and deployment through our CI/CD pipeline.

Our New Workflow in 3 Steps

4. Automation with CI/CD

Our CI/CD process automates the entire publishing workflow. Whenever we push new content to GitHub, our CI/CD platform builds and deploys the updated site automatically. For us, this means:

• No manual deployments.
• No risk of site-breaking plugin conflicts.
• Faster publishing cycles.

We primarily use GitHub Actions, but this setup is flexible and can work with other platforms like GitLab CI, CircleCI, Jenkins, or any other CI/CD solution.

5. On-the-Go Publishing

One of the most surprising advantages of our new workflow is that it breaks the common assumption that repositories require a computer and a bulky text editor or IDE. With our setup, you can publish articles using just your phone or tablet. Here's how our team handles mobile publishing:

1. Open the GitHub app (or a similar app that works with repositories).
2. Navigate to the MDX file and make edits or upload a new article.
3. Commit and push the changes.

Our CI/CD process takes care of the build and deploys the updated site within minutes. This mobile-friendly process has empowered our team to publish even while traveling, during meetings, or whenever inspiration strikes.

Why This Approach Works for Our Team—and Can Work for You

We understand that this approach isn't for everyone. If you prefer a drag-and-drop interface or don't have experience with version control and Markdown, there's a learning curve. But for teams and individuals comfortable with repositories and static content, the benefits are undeniable:

• No Plugin Dependencies: No more worrying about plugin updates or compatibility issues.
• Full Customization: Every element of our site is under our control.
• Instant Publishing: No dashboards—just seamless version control for updates.

The Growing Popularity of Static Site Generators

We're not alone in making the shift to static site generators (SSGs). According to Netlify's 2023 Jamstack Report, static sites continue to gain traction for their speed, scalability, and security benefits.

Here are some updated key trends:

• Significant growth in Jamstack adoption: The report highlights increasing developer preference for static site generators.
• Decreased security incidents: Reports from platforms like Netlify and Vercel emphasize fewer vulnerabilities compared to traditional CMS setups.
• Increased focus on performance: Developers and businesses continue to cite faster page loads and simpler deployments as key reasons for adopting static frameworks.

Benefits of Custom Builds

Final Thoughts

At Floms, switching from WordPress to a modern, custom-built site transformed how we manage content. We gained speed, security, and simplicity—all while tailoring our approach to fit our needs.

The best part? We offer this same level of flexibility to our clients. Whether it's Next.js, React, Angular, Vue, or another tech stack, we create digital solutions that match your goals.

If you're ready to simplify your site and gain full control over your content, let's talk about how we can build a solution that works for you.

Take the next step—get in touch today and transform your digital strategy!